DELHI, N.Y. (April 4, 2018) – The SUNY Delhi Athletic Department is proud to partake in the program's first-ever NCAA Division III Week after being accepted as members in February. Starting in 2018-19, the Broncos enter a provisional membership with NCAA Division III after spending the 2017-18 year as exploratory members. SUNY Delhi are eligible to become fully recognized as early as the 2021-22 season.
From the NCAA:
"Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement."
SUNY Delhi's ascent to NCAA Division III had its roots during the 2015-16 academic year, where the school entered its first season in four-year athletics after years of successfully competing at the junior college level. Men's cross country earned the school's first four-year national championship with a USCAA title in 2016, and again in 2017, where runner Kobie Lane also won the individual national title. The men's golf team added another national crown, winning USCAA Nationals in 2017, with Russell Herbert finishing tied for first place on the individual leaderboard.
The Broncos were awarded an exploratory membership with NCAA Division III for the 2017-18 year, and joined the newly-formed American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) conference. This membership has already proven fruitful, with the men's cross country team winning the league title in the fall, as well as the women's cross country team placing second. The Broncos have produced 26 All-ACAA selections and 15 ACAA All-Academic and Honor Roll recipients during the fall and winter seasons. In addition, the softball team is set to compete at the ACAA Championship at the end of April.
"We are truly honored to be taking part in our first NCAA Division III Week celebration," said Associate Athletic Director Cathy Foto. "It is generating additional excitement about our transition to Division III membership and gives us another avenue to promote and educate our student-athlete and campus about the numerous benefits of joining such a prestigious nationally recognized organization."
"This is a historic milestone for SUNY Delhi and our athletics program," said SUNY Delhi President Michael R. Laliberte. "We pursued NCAA membership because SUNY Delhi and Division III share a commitment to providing students with outstanding opportunities to excel in the classroom and on the field."
The SUNY Delhi men's tennis team will help celebrate Division III Week when they host Hartwick today at 4:00 p.m. in the Bubble.